The artwork titled “A Critical Study” was created by Philip Guston in 1975. It belongs to the Neo-Expressionism art movement and falls into the portrait genre. As part of the “Cyclops” series, this piece is located at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork presents a distinct and somewhat surreal portrait featuring the recognizable motif of a cyclopean figure with exaggerated and abstracted forms. Dominated by a palette of muted and bold colors, the composition includes a robust figure with a single eye on a predominantly red face, holding a cigarette. The setting merges elements of domestic interiors and studio environments, with various objects such as a lamp, book, and other forms scattered, creating a sense of narrative and introspection. The overall aesthetic of the piece is emblematic of Guston’s later style, with its raw, expressive brushstrokes and symbolic content, contributing to the dialogue of Neo-Expressionism.
